X-ray attenuation characterisation of electrospun Bi2O3/PVA and WO3/PVA nanofibre mats as potential X-ray shielding materials

Electrospun nanoparticles (Bi2O3 or WO3) filler/PVA nanofibre mats with different filler loadings (0–40 wt%) were successfully fabricated for X-ray shielding purpose via an electrospinning process. The X-ray attenuation ability of the prepared electrospun filler/PVA nanofibre mats were compared at various X-ray energies (8.64–25.20 keV) using X-ray fluorescent (XRF) unit. The dispersion of nanoparticles filler within PVA nanofibre mat was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results indicate that the X-ray attenuation ability of the filler/PVA nanofibre mats increased with the increment of filler loading excluded 40 wt% Bi2O3/PVA nanofibre mats. Nevertheless, the outcome shows that the electrospun Bi2O3/PVA nanofibre mat has higher X-ray attenuation ability than WO3/PVA nanofibre mat for all filler loadings. Moreover, only 10 wt% of Bi2O3 loading is needed in order to achieve similar X-ray attenuation ability as 40 wt% WO3/PVA nanofibre mats. Poor particle dispersion can be observed for ≥ 35 wt% Bi2O3/PVA compared to the WO3/PVA nanofibre mats.